Loving life and Embracing a New Earth

Falling and Reflecting

It seems to hold a special power over us, the ebb and flow almost like a magical magnetic pull.

When we go camping I’m drawn to watery destinations of waterfalls, coastal vistas, rivers and lakes. I feel as though I’m in touch with my soul when I’m near water.

But it wasn’t always that way.

As a young child I nearly drowned in a river. It scarred me. From then on I always had an excuse to miss school swimming carnivals and I’d forge mum’s signature on notes. She had no idea.

It was only as an adult, after I met Doug, who was heavily into scuba diving, that I finally overcame my fear and learned to swim.

On our honeymoon in the Maldives I took the biggest leap and snorkelled for the first time.

Then I snorkelled the waters of the Great Barrier Reef back home. It was like an underwater Garden of Eden.

And I’ve fallen in love with the wonders of the sea ever since.

Do you ever reflect on what you’ve achieved in your life, whether you’ve done enough or whether you could have done things differently?

Maybe it’s an age thing. Maybe at 51, with my kids getting older, losing my mum last year and now searching for purpose it’s driving these thoughts.

What am I doing with the rest of my life? Could I do things differently? Should I be doing things differently? Am I doing enough, am I making a difference?

I often wonder where I’m heading.

I guess we all have thoughts like that at some stage.

Then I look back at my life and I see that everything has lead me here.

All my choices, the decisions I’ve made, good or bad, have lead me to where I am today.

We can question why and how and what if as much as we like, but in the end it doesn’t change what’s been.

What matters is that we take what we’ve learned and use it to move forward. Reflecting and moving …

That’s what I’m trying to do.

My hope is that, as days unfold into weeks and the weeks become months, that we can look back on our time and appreciate that we’re all doing the best we can.

Better yet, for all our reflecting on what’s been, let’s not forget the most important moment is right now.

There’s no stopping the clock or slowing down time. So why do we often wait?

Learn to swim if you can’t, adopt a dog if you’ve always wanted to, take that yearned for trip, bungee jump if you’re feeling excited, tell that person how you feel while you can and go back for that second piece of chocolate cake.

Life’s too short and it’s not waiting for anyone.

Yes, it’s good to reflect but sometimes you just have to jump right in and go for it.

I love water in all it’s mediums and often ask those questions.
I feel that 50 years raises big questions, it’s confronting to know that we have lived at least half our life. So we make some time to reflect on our achievements and reassess where we want to go to. That reassessment and sorting priorities, making plans on how to get there are core at every stage of life but more so when we realise that our time is rapidly running out.
Parenting has many struggles but must also be the most rewarding job … knowing that they are making a difference and will carry on well after we have moved on?

Oh, absolutely Kate. I think at every significant stage of our life we start to reassess, especially when, as you said, we feel our time running out. But you’re right, parenting, for all of its challenges, is absolutely the most rewarding job in the world and I do feel incredibly blessed.
Thank you, as always, for your thoughtful comment. I love that we’ve connected. xo

Lovely post! Perfect combination of gorgeous photos and ideas for reflection. I like the notion that everything in our lives—good and bad—has led us to where we are right now, and each choice we make leads us to where we will be tomorrow. Thanks for giving me stimulating thoughts to start my day.

I love water too..I am not that good swimmer but I just love any bodies of water. I adore fountains and the zen it brought to any home.
What you’ve written is so true.. whenever I gaze at the waters, I can’t help but to meditate and reflect, water gives an echo about my life.
Happy Mother’s Day to you Miriam..all the best and looking forward to your next piece.

I share a similar love and fear of water. I don’t know how to swim and prefer to walk along the shore. In 2007, I panicked during our undersea walk in Pattaya. Never again. I hope I can change that. I have similar feelings of waking up in the morning and wondering ‘what am I doing?’. And then, not doing anything. Sigh! They say confusion is good. I’m not sure about it. A wonderfully positive post, Miriam. Just what I need for Monday! Hugs!

Amazing and inspiring! Wow… wonderful photo’s reflecting an amazing ‘place in life’… that moment when we stand on the ‘cusp’ of something new… One of the best question in the world is to ask ‘how can I do things differently’ which opens our minds to the endless possibilities that we can choose from… Have a wonderful week Miriam and sending lots of loving ripples across the water! xxx

A wondefully thoughtful post, Miriam and the photographs lend it a relaxed reflective ambience. Oh, I always wonder where I’m heading!!😃 Wow! I’m so impressed that you learnt to swim and then snorkel/dive as an adult – it must have been amazing to swim amongst the Great Barrier Reef and you have such a magical turn of phrase referring to the experience as swimming amongst the Garden of Eden. Yep, it’s never too late to learn something new and for a few months, I’ve been procrastinating whether to learn the piano. This came after my son bought a piano following years of the keyboard. I’ll have to not be intimidated by my son’s playing, he’s so good and also nerve-wracking to start lessons! Sorely tempted though…Are you looking to start something new, Miriam? Any dreams you want to pursue? Until then, I’ll meet you at the water’s edge albeit half a world apart. 😀❤️

You’re right Annika, it’s never too late to learn something new. I picked up the guitar again a few years ago (after not playing since I was 14) and learnt how to play Spanish/Classical guitar and jazz and I just love it. Go for that piano! Don’t be intimidated by your son’s talent or by the lessons, you won’t regret it. Yes, absolutely, I’ll meet you by the water’s edge. Have fun. 😊❤️

There is something inherently, instinctively within us that makes water so attractive: look at water features in gardens, how up-market hotels sometimes use a water feature in their foyers. It is essential to our survival, but so is air and we don’t get so whimsical about it.

I am impressed that you were able to get over your fear of water and not only learn to swim, but to snorkel as well! That is proof that you are moving forward in your life, learning from where you’ve been, but also living in the moment and willing to try new things. I love water, too…whether it’s an ocean, lake, or river, I like being by it!
Your posts are always good, Miriam, but this one really spoke to me. Thanks for that, and I hope you have a lovey week!

Ah, sounds as though you’re another water lover Ann. Already I’m hankering for another camping trip to the coast, even though it’s cold here now.
Glad this spoke to you Ann and thank you as always. Have a terrific week. xo

Hello dear Miriam…. you know I understand your thoughts about where we are headed…. you are certainly not alone.
I think we often underestimate the purpose and power of writing posts such as this beautiful one… that this is how you are changing lives, one word, one image at a time.
You deserve some quiet time… you have already been support and love for your family. But I get you. Let it happen and be kind to yourself my friend.
Thank you for another gentle post while I have my cuppa this time 🦋💜💜

Thank you so much for your lovely words here Di. Why am I not surprised that you can relate to this post. Yes, I think you do get me.
Quiet time is indeed what I’ve been enjoying lately. But I feel as though wheels are in motion again. Can’t wait to arrange our catch up and meet in person. I have a feeling we’ll have lots to talk about. 😊
Big hugs till then xo 💕

I do a whole lot of reflection myself and what I am learning to take take the lessons life has taught me, turn them around and make something positive out of them. I guess it comes with growing older. Indeed, now is to live fully in each moment. Beautiful post.

I need to take a leaf from your book Miriam! I’ve always been a weak swimmer and afraid of the water – you’ve inspired me to take a leap of faith and to immerse myself in life! To face my fears and get my feet wet 😉 hugs dear lady xx

Beautiful post Miriam! I ask those same questions, and you’re right, our experiences — good and bad — have led us to where we are now. I love looking at waterfalls, the ocean, babbling brooks… all so soothing to me. Thanks for the inspiration 🙂

It’s so funny you write this as it was not even 1/2 hour ago I was saying to myself, ok self let’s figure this out. Why continue living every day hating it, that’s no way to live. There has to be a solution, there has to be an answer. So I am going to start taking those steps in the direction of enjoying each day I live rather than not. I’m going to teach my assistant all I know at work so I can leave and find something else or better yet come into a large sum of money so I won’t have to work at all!! That’s my true goal. As you have been mesmerized by water, I have found that this year I am mesmerized by birds. I think the freedom that they represent is what I love. They just fly around carefree, swooping here and there, tweeting there songs…happy as a lark! See what I did there. Anyway I want to take on the attitude of the birds, happy and carefree and not afraid to fly! As usual you have inspired me with your writings and I thank you for that!! Super hugs…xo

I started writing you a message and then it disappeared. Not sure if it partly sent, I think I have gremlins in my system today.
Anyway what I wrote was that I love your thoughts here and I totally get why you find the birds so mesmerising. They do represent freedom and that’s where you’re aiming for and you’ll get there, I’m absolutely sure if it. Keep those visions in your head and live it in the things you choose to do at home. And at work. Yes, train your assistant and before you know it she’ll be doing your job, leaving you free and ready to leave. Isn’t it great to have a clear vision of what you want? Go for it my friend. Be like a bird and fly! Love you xo

Thank you once again Miri for that smile on my face and dream in my heart before I go to sleep!! I will do that, I’m going to move forward in that direction every day bringing me one day closer to it manifesting!! Love you too…i must go to sleep now all happy and content thanks to you my friend. Happy hugs xoxo. Have the most marvelous rest of your day. 😚

I can swim but am not fond of deep water. A pool is okay but anything with big fish, sharks, no thanks. You did very well to conquer the fear of water considering a near drowning experience. Keep jumping in….

That’s just beautiful, Miriam. The photos and the ideas you’ve expressed so eloquently – I think we all need that reminder, that the choices we make lead us to where we are now, and that life is too short to stop making those choices, taking those chances.
Also, aren’t we 70% water or something like that? Perhaps that’s why we’re so drawn to it – it is the source of life, so maybe there is something bigger we’re connecting with on a subconscious level 🙂

I love this post Miriam and will start with saying; you are already making a difference. Just here
among the bloggers, in your home, among people who meet your warm and positive spirit.
Your post about water almost made me put down my pen. I feel so much the same……about the ocean, rivers, brooks, lakes……
Maybe the rhythmic flow, the eternal feel they give….
miriam

Miriam, I was just thinking about you today! What an amazing post with such good questions. One thing that came up for me is whatever your life has been about, there is so much loving in it. This is evident to me. Xo

My spiritual teacher J-R has mentioned how a part of our right now is our future pulling us. I really love that.

I’m a wonder lusting woman, an adventurer and freelance travel writer, passionate about travel, exploring our world and inspiring others to go after their dreams. I’m a big believer in turning the ordinary moments into extraordinary ones.